Folding sick-room table



July 7, 1925. 1,544,935

E. J. PRESTON FOLDING SICK ROOM TABLE Filed May 21, 1923 Patented July 7, 1925.

UNITED STATES ELIJAH J. PRESTON, F PARADISE, CALIFORNIA.

FOLDING SICK-ROOM TABLE.

Application filed May 21, 1923. Serial No. 640,434.

To all Hf/Z0177, it 7170 1] concern Be it known that I, ELIJAII J. Puns'roN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Paradise, county of Butte, State of California, have invented a new and useful Folding bliclelloom Table, of which the following a specification.

My invention relates to a folding table which is especially adapted for use in the sick-room, and the same is constructed so that the surface area of the top may be presented over the bed in order that a person contined to bed may conveniently use the table for holding food, books, lights, and any other articles.

One object of my invention is to provide a table of the above character which may be folded to occupy a comparatively small space so that it may be conveniently set aside when not in use, as well as enabling the same to be conveniently packed for shipinent.

Another object of my invention is to provide a folding table which may be manufactured cheaply, easily folded or set up, and yet providing a rugged and stable structure which will not tip or become otherwise unsteady when being used.

The invention possesses further objects and features which will appear as the de scription now proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig are 1 shows a perspective view of the table as set up; Figure 2 a side elevation of the table as set up; and Figure 3 a side eleva tion of the table as folded. Figure 4c is an cad view of a portion of Figure 2 showing one of the angular legs. Referring now to the drawing in detail, A represents a table top which is directly mounted upon the relatively long parallel transverse members (5) and ((3) which are positioned in spaced relation as shown forming a pair of tapered cleats or ledges. The top may be nailed, doweled. riveted or otherwise fixed to these members (5) and (6) and they should extend practically the length of the table or the width thereof, depending of course on the shape of the top. The top as well as the other parts of the assembly may be made of wood, metal or any other material. The members (5) and are pivoted as at (8) to upright standards or legs (9) and (10) which in turn are pivoted at their lower extremities as at (11) to the relatively long feet (12) and The feet (12) and (13) substantially correspond to the members (5) and (6) except that they are perhaps heavier and at least longer so as to extend beyond the free end of the table and beyond the opposite end of the table. The proportional length of the feet is so provided as to prevent tilting either backwards or forwards. The legs are beveled on the outside at the bottom and on the inside at the top, thus making the legs narrower at the top. This makes the legs bracing and prevents the table from tipping sidewise. The actual corresponding length is optional, so long as the feet properly support the table so as to leave the same absolutely steady and rugged. The feet are arranged parallel to one another and even parallel to the members (5) and (6) and in spaced vertical relation thereto so as to leave an unobstructed opening between the table top and the feet so that the long ends of the feet may be presented under the bed and the long end of the table over the bed to conveniently present the same in a position where a person lying in bed may use the table top as intended.

Braces (l4) and are diagonally connectcd to the upright standards or legs (9) and (10) so as to add rigidity to the structure. These braces are permanent and do not need to be detached when the table is folded.

As an additional means of bracing the table when set up, detachable braces (16) are used to connect member with leg (5)), brace (17) to connect the foot with leg (9), brace (15%) to connect member (6) with leg ('10), brace (19) to connect? foot (13) to leg (10). The detachable braces are preferably pivoted at one end as at with their opposite ends made with an open catch adapted to engage pins 21) carried by the upright standards or legs (9) and (10). \Vhen the table is set up these de tachable braces not only hold the upright. standards or legs (9) and (10) in a vertical supporting position. but also maintain the table top supporting members (5) and (6) in a horizontal position.

To fold the table the detachable braces (16), (17), (18), and (19) are disconnected from the pins (21) which will leave the upright standards or legs and (10) free. The top is pressed down until the side members (5) and (6) are flush with the legs (9) and (10) the feet (12) and (13) are turned parallel with the legs (9) and (10). This completes the folding of the table. The diagonal braces are folded in the spaces left between the feet and the table top supporting members and (6) so that the folded relation of the parts will leave a relatively slight thickness. The folded position of the parts is best shown in Figure 3, and it will be noted that the diagonal supports (14:) and (15) are positioned across the bottom of the folded position of the parts and this is apparent since they are fixed to the upright standards or legs (9) and (10).

\Vhen the table is set up the relatively long length of the feet and their extended position relative to the top will be ample to support the table so that it cannot tilt either backward or forward or sidewise.

From the above it will be seen that I have devised a folding table that can be manufactured cheaply, that can be easily folded to occupy a relatively small space, and one that can be set up conveniently and when folded adapted to be carried or set aside Without requiring detachable parts or other details which would take away from the lid-- vantages of a table of this character.

I claim:

A folding sick room table comprising a table top, two spaced cleats secured across the under side of the table top, two legs for the table, each respectively pivotally connected to the cleats at aligned points near one end thereof, two feet for the table comprising strips on the floor extending across the table each pivoted adjacent one end i transversely to the lower end of the legs, said legs being arranged to diverge outwardly from the table top to the floor and being beveled at their pivotal connections with the feet and cleats to present a vertical juncture, means rigidly joining both legs, and a plurality of angle braces for holding the feet and top parallel and at right angles to the legs.

ELIJAH J. PRESTON. 

